Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Champion aka Champion de Crespigny
Before 11th September 1873 [his father] Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet (age 26) and [his mother] Louisa Margaret McKerrall were married.
On 11th September 1873 Claude Champion de Crespigny was born to [his father] Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet (age 26) and [his mother] Louisa Margaret McKerrall.
On 3rd July 1895 Claude Champion de Crespigny (age 21) was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd Life Guards.
On 5th August 1896 Claude Champion de Crespigny (age 22) was promoted to Lieutenant in the 2nd Life Guards.
On 12th January 1902 Claude Champion de Crespigny (age 28) was promoted to Captain in the 2nd Life Guards.
The London Gazette 27403. 4th February 1902. War Office, Pall Mail, 4th February, 1902.
2nd Life Guards, Captain Oswald H. Ames to be Major, vice Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Smith-Cuuinghame, promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on half-pay. Dated 12th January, 1902.
The undermentioned Supernumerary Captains to be Captains:—
Algernon R. Trotter, D.S.O., vice 0. H. Ames. Dated 12th January, 1902.
Claude Champion-de Crespigny (age 28), D.S.O., vice T., Earl of Longford, seconded. Dated 22nd January, 1902.
On 18th May 1910 Claude Champion de Crespigny (age 36) committed suicide. He was found dead by the roadside at King's Cliffe in Northamptonshire. The physician and coroner concluded that a temporary madness may have been caused by influenza and repeated heavy falls whilst playing polo.
Kings Wessex: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 22 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 28 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 26 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 32 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 26 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 30 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Champion
Great x 3 Grandfather: Claude Champion de Crespgny 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Champion de Crespigny 2nd Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Augustus James Champion de Crespigny 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Other Windsor 3rd Earl Plymouth 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Other Lewis Windsor 4th Earl Plymouth 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Sarah Windsor Lady Champion de Crespigny 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Archer 1st Baron Archer 15 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Archer Countess Plymouth 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Tipping Baroness Archer 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Claude Champion de Crespigny 3rd Baronet 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Father: Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet 15 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Tyrrell 
14 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Tyrrell 15 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Tyrell 1st Baronet 16 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Tyssen Tyrell 2nd Baronet 17 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Tyssen of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
Great x 2 Grandmother: Sarah Tyssen
GrandMother: Mary Tyrell Lady Champion de Crespigny 18 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Lyon Pilkington 4th Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: Michael Pilkington 6th Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Pilkington 7th Baronet
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ann Pilkington
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Tufnel
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Anne Tufnel Lady Pilkington
Claude Champion de Crespigny 16 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Louisa Margaret McKerrall